Bag-in-box arrangement for packaging and dispensing of liquids



y 8, 1965 J w. SANDERSON 3,184,117

BAG-IN-BOX ARRANGEMENT FOR PACKAGING AND- DISPENSING OF LIQUIDS FiledSept. 26. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fnz/eriib 7 kjbkn Z11 jarzazens'orz y 8,1965 J. w. SANDERSON BAG-IN-BOX ARRANGEMENT FOR PACKAGING AND DISPENSINGOF LIQUIDS Filed Sept. 26. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fnz/enior \jluz. ljjezrzazerson United States Patent 3,184,117 BAG-IN-BOX ARRANGEMENT FURPACKAGING AND DISPENSING 0F LIQUIDS John W. Sanderson, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 111., acorporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 226,331 6 Claims.(Cl. 222-183) This invention relates to packages, and more particularlyto an arrangement for the packaging and dispensing of liquids.

The invention comprehends an improvement in the art of packaging liquidsin plastic bags disposed within paperboard boxes.

Although the basic concept of packaging a liquid in a plastic bagdisposed within a paperboard box is not new to the packaging art, mostof the so-called bag-inbox arrangements which are known to the art areso cumbersome and unwieldy to use for the dispensing of liquids thatthey are not very practical or satisfactory from a commercialstandpoint.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a bag-in-boxpackage for liquids having a convenient pouring or dispensingarrangement which permit the ultimate consumer to dispense limitedquantities of liquid from the package easily and efiiciently.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a bag-in-boxpackage for liquids, of a box or outer container having an opening in awall thereof adapted to facilitate removal of the bag pouring spout fromthe box for use in dispensing liquids.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision, in abag-in-box package for liquids, of an outer paperboard box having cutfrom and hinged to one wall thereof a pouring spout carrying tabconnected to the pouring spout of an inner plastic bag disposed withinthe outer box.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from anexamination of the following description and drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1is a perspective view of a bag-in-box package embodying features of theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but illustrating only a portionof the structure of FIGURE 1, with the bag pouring spout carrying tab ofthe box shown in a partially opening position; FIGURE 3 is a viewsimilar to FIGURE 2, but with the bag pouring spout carrying tab shownin a fully open position;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the structureof FIGURE 3 illustrating a connection between the bag pouring spout andthe carrying tab of the box;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the bag which contains the packaged liquid;and

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the blank from which the box of the otherviews may be formed.

It will be understood that certain elements have been intentionallyeliminated from certain views where they are believed to be illustratedto better advantage in other views.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of theinvention, and particularly to FIGURE 3, it will be seen that theinvention includes a flexible, preferably plastic, bag G disposed withina preferably corrugated or solid fibre paperboard box X.

Now referring to FIGURE 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that the boxX may be formed from a single blank B of sheet material such foldablepaperboard. The blank B is divided into a plurality of seriallyconnected panels which have been designated as 10, l2, l4, l6 and 18,reading from left to right. These panels comprise a first end wallpanel, a second end wall panel, a second side wall panel, and a securingpanel, respectively. In order to form a box the blank is arranged withthe panels disposed at right angles to each other in tubular form in aconventional manner with the securing panel 12* either glued or stitchedto the end wall panel 10 at the opposite end of the blank. The panelsmay be hingedly interconnected by a plurality of parallel hinge linesextending transversely across the blank.

Still referring to FIGURE 6, it will be seen that each of the end andside wall panels previously described has hinged to its opposite ends apair of upper and lower closure flaps. The upper and lower closure flapsof panel it) being designated 20 and 21, respectively; the upper andlower closure flaps of panel 12 being designated 2?. and 23,respectively; the upper and lower closure flaps of panel 14 beingdesignated 24 and 25, respectively; and the upper and lower closureflaps of panel 16 being designated 26 and 27, respectively.

It will be noted that the bottom closure flaps of the box are formed andarranged in such a manner as to provide for an interlocking bottom;whereas the upper closure flaps of the box are of conventional design toprovide for a conventional glued top closure arrangement. However, theparticular contour of the closure flaps, except for the bag pouringspout carrying tab feature discussed hereinafter, is not an essentialpart of the invention, and various arrangements may be satisfactorilyemployed.

It will be noted that the bag is preferably formed of a plastic materialsuch as polyethylene by heat scaling to each other the peripheralportions of the pair of identical side panels 31, in manner well knownin the art.

Still referring to FIGURE 5 it will be seen that the bag may be providedwith a pair of pouring and filling spouts 36 and 32, respectively. Thelocation of the spout 32 may be at either end of the bag, depending uponthe equipment which is employed to fill the bag and locate it within thebox. Also, if desired, the filling spout may be eliminated, and thepouring spout may be used as a filling spout.

The filling spout itself is preferably tapered in contour forconvenience in dispensing and is bordered on three sides by a peripheralflange 34. Flange 34 is provided with an opening or slit 36, preferablylocated under or in front of the pouring spout itself, the purpose ofwhich will be described later in the specification.

Returning to FIGURE 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that there isformed from end wall panel 14 and its top closure flap 24 a bag pouringspout carrying tab indicated generally at 46 Tab 49 is preferably hingedalong its lower edge 42 to panel 14, with the remainder of the tab beingdefined by a line 44, the lower portion 46 of which is perforated inpanel lid and the upper portion 48 of which is cut through flap 24. Inorder to facilitate the withdrawal of tab 40, in order to dispenseliquid from the package, there may be provided a pair of cars 49 die cutfrom panel 14 and disposed on opposite sides of the lower portion of thetab.

As best seen in FIGURE 4, the upper portion of the tab has an integralbag pouring spout retaining segment 50 cut therefrom and joined theretofor use in attach ing the tab to the bag pouring spout. Segment 50 ispreferably formed with an enlarged, arrowhead shaped head portion 52,out along line 53 from the segment 5i) and joined to the remainder ofthe segment by a narrower neck portion 54.

In order for the ultimate consumer to use the package 3 V t V anddispense limited quantities of liquid from the bag, the thumb andforefinger may be used to push in the cars 49 and grasp the lowerportion of carrying tab 40. As

the tab is pulled outwardly, line of perforation 46 will part' andpermit the further outward movement of the tab from of the bag, byvirtue of its connection to the tab segment 50, will be drawn out withthe tab and supported thereon.

For the first use of the bag the pouring spout may be out along a lineindicated generally at L in FIGURE 5 in order to open the bag andthereby permit liquid therefrom; The actual location of the cut by theconsumer will vary depending upon the quantity to be dispensed and thespeed at which the liquid is to be dispensed. Because of the taperedcontour of the pouring spout, the pouring opening in the bag can easilybe controlled to a limited degree by cutting the bag closer to orfurther from the free end of the pouring spout, as desired.

After the bag has been cut the package may be held in one hand with theother hand controlling the pouring spout carrying tab 40 to facilitatethe dispensing of liquid from the package. After a desired quantity ofliquid has been dispensed, the tab 40 is merely pushed back into thecarton carrying the pouring spout along with it.

Once the bag has been opened by cutting the pouring spout, the processof removing the pouring spout with the tab 40 and reclosing the packagemay be repeated as many times as desired.

1 claim:

1. A container arrangement for packaging and dispensinterconnected toform a tubular structure, and end closure flaps hingedly connected toend edges of certain of the side walls to close the ends of thestructure;

(c) a flexible, plastic inner bag removably disposed within said box;

(d) said bag having a pouring spout;

(e) said bag pouring spout including a flanged portion presenting a slittherein; and

(f) a pouring spout carrying tab formed from adjacent portions of one ofthe side walls and one of the end flaps of said box; 7

(g) said tab being hinged along its lower edge to said one side wall andhaving the remainder of its edges defined by a partly perforated linewhich with the hinge line of the tab defines a pouring spout opening inthe box when the tab is pulled out; (h) said tab including a segment cutfrom and joined to the remainder of the tab; 1 (i) said segment havingat its free end an enlarged head portion disposed to extend through theslit in the flanged portion of the bag pouring spout to interconnect thetab and pouring spout, so that when the tab is pulled out from the boxside wall the bag pouring spout will be pulled out through the pouringspout opening.

2. A container arrangement for packaging and dispensing of liquidscomprising:

(a) an outer box formed from foldable paperboard; (b) said box includinga plurality of side walls hinged- 1y interconnected to form a tubularstructure and end closure flaps hingedly connected to end edges ofcertain of the side walls to close the ends of the tubular structure;

(c) a flexible, plastic inner bag removably disposed within said box;

(d) said bag having a pouring spout;

(e) said bag pouring spout including a flanged portion presenting a slittherein; and V (f) a pouring spout carrying tab formed from adjacentportions of one of said side walls and one of said end flaps;

(g) said tab being hinged along its lower edge to said one side wall andhaving the remainder of its edges defined by a partly perforated linewhich with the hinge line of the tab defines a pouring spout opening inthe box when the tab is pulled out; i

(It) said tab including a segment cut from and joined to the remainderof the tab;

(i) said segment having its free end disposed to extend through the slitin the flanged portion of the bag pouring spout to interconnect the taband pouring spout so that when the tab is pulled out from the box sidewall the bag pouring spout will be pulle out through the pouring spoutopening.

3. A container arrangement for packaging and dis.-

pensing liquids comprising: i

(a) an outer box formed from foldable paperboard;

(b) said box including a plurality of side walls hingedly interconnectedto form a tubular structure and end closure flaps hingedly connected toend edges of certain of the side walls to close the ends of the tubularstructure;

(c) a flexible, plastic inner bag removably disposed within said box;

(d) said bag having a pouring spout; and

(e) a pouring spout carrying tab formed from adjacent portions of one ofsaid side walls and one of said end flaps;

(f) said tab being hinged along its lower edge to said one side wall andhaving the remainder of its edges defined by a partly perforated linewhich with the hinge line of the tab defines a pouring spout opening inthe box when the tab is pulled out;

(g) said tab including a segment cut from and joined to the remainder ofthe tab;

(/2) said segment having its free end disposed to-extend through a slitin a portion of the bag pouring spout to interconnect the tab andpouring spout, so that when the tab is pulled out from the box-side wallthe bag pouring spout will be pulled out through the pouring spoutopening.

4. A container arrangement for packaging and dispensing of liquidscomprising: 7

(a) an outer box formed from foldable paperboard; (b) said box includinga plurality of top, bottom, and

side walls hingedly interconnected to form a tubular structure;

' (c) a flexible, plastic inner bag removably disposed within said box;

(d) said bag having a pouring spout;

(.2) said bag pouring spout including a flanged portion presenting aslit therein; and

(f) a pouring spout carrying tab formed from adjacent portions of one ofsaid side Walls and said top wall;

(g) said tab being hinged along its lower edge to said one side wall andhaving the remainder of its edges defined by a partly perforated linewhich with the hinge line of the tab defines a pouring spout opening inthe box when the tab is pulled out;

(h) said tab including a segment cut from and joined to the remainder ofthe tab;

(i) said segment having its free end disposed to extend through the slitin the flanged portion of the bag pouring spout to interconnect the taband pouring spout, so that when the tab is pulled out from the box sidewall the bag pouring spout will be pulled out through the pouring spoutopening.

5. A container arrangement for packaging and dispensing of liquidscomprising:

(a) an outer box formed from foldable paperboard; I (b) said boxincluding a plurality of side walls hingedlyv 1 interconnected to form atubular structure; 7

(c) a flexible, plastic inner bag removably disposed within said box;

(d) said bag having a pouring spout;

(2) said bag pouring spout including a flanged portion presenting a slittherein; and

(f) a pouring spout carrying tab formed from a portion of one of saidside walls;

(g) said tab being hinged along its lower edge to said one side wall andhaving the remainder of its edges defined by a partly perforated linewhich with the hinge line of the tab defines a pouring spout opening inthe box when the tab is pulled out;

(12) said tab including a segment cut from and joined to the remainderof the tab;

(i) said segment having at its free end an enlarged head portiondisposed to extend through the slit in the flanged portion of the bagpouring spout to interconnect the tab and pouring spout, so that whenthe tab is pulled out from the box side Wall and the bag pouring spoutwill be pulled out through the pouring spout opening.

6. A container arrangement for packaging and dispensing of liquidscomprising:

(a) a box formed from paperboard;

(b) a bag removably disposed within said box;

(0) said bag having a pouring spout;

(d) said bag pouring spout including a flanged portion presenting a slittherein;

(e) a pouring spout carrying tab cut from a wall of the box;

(1) said tab being hinged along one edge to said wall and having theremainder of its edges defined by a line which with the hinge line ofthe tab defines a pouring spout opening in the box when the tab ispulled out;

(g) said tab having an integral portion disposed to extend through theslit in the flanged portion of the bag pouring spout to interconect thetab and pouring spout, so that when the tab is pulled out from the boxWall the bag pouring spout will be pulled out through the pouring spoutopening.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,339,156 1/44Davis.

2,446,308 8/48 Smith 222l07 X 2,593,778 4/52 McGinnis.

2,954,901 10/60 Winstead 222-183 3,078,018 2/62 Galloway 222-1833,081,003 3/63 Baxter et a1 222l05 3,100,587 8/63 Cox.

3,108,732 10/63 Curie et a1 222 X LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

1. A CONTAINER ARRANGEMENT FOR PACKAGING AND DISPENSING OF LIQUIDSCOMPRISING: (A) AN OUTER BOX FORMED FROM FOLDABLE PAPERBOARD; (B) SAIDBOX INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SIDE WALLS HINGEDLY INTERCONNECTED TO FORMA TUBULAR STRUCTURE, AND END CLOSURE FLAPS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO ENDEDGES OF CERTAIN OF THE SIDE WALLS TO CLOSE THE ENDS OF THE STRUCTURE;(C) A FLEXIBLE, PLASTIC INNER BAG REMOVABLY DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BOX;(D) SAID BAG HAVING A POURING SPOUT, (E) SAID BAG POURING SPOUTINCLUDING A FLANGED PORTION PRESENTING A SLIT THEREIN; AND (F) A POURINGSPOUT CARRYING TAB FORMED FORM ADJACENT PORTIONS OF ONE OF THE SIDEWALLS AND ONE OF THE END FLAPS OF SAID BOX;